Book Review – The Way of Worship: A Guide to Living and Leading Authentic Worship

Richard Frazer Sept. 23, 2020

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Vernon Whaley and Michael Neale, themselves seasoned worship leaders and songwriters, have given worship pastors, worship leaders and lead pastors a priceless resource. The book helps us develop a philosophy of worship, and it guides us as we lead worship teams and congregations into intimacy with our Lord.

Through story-telling, illustrating and teaching, the authors equip those who invite God's people to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength to lead with wisdom, knowledge and confidence.

The Way of Worship is divided into two parts: Precepts and Practices. In the first part, the authors deliver a theological foundation of worship (His plan, Spirit and truth, His Word, etc.) as well as the personal application of His revelation (character, brokenness, integrity, etc.).

Far from stuffy pedantic lectures on theology, Neale and Whaley keep the message accessible and pertinent to pastors and volunteer lay leaders alike.

In the "Practices" section, the writers delve into the practical outworking of our worship in attitudes (generosity, serving, sacrificing, etc.), actions (craft, unifying, vision) and relationships (such as communication, empowering and collaboration).

The invitation of each chapter guides the reader into the topic through Neale's creative storytelling of his rafting adventure on the Colorado River with a seasoned guide, whose comments act as a bridge to the worship topic being addressed. The reader will get to know and identify with the characters on the expedition.

Whaley skillfully picks up the next two chapters where he first draws a parallel between Neale's experience on the river and the responsibility of leading worship. Finally, Vernon lays out wonderfully wise and often-enumerated applications that target fundamental issues of worship.

Neale and Whaley have composed 28 chapters of instruction and inspiration on most of the themes we who lead worship should have in our arsenal: Worshipping in Spirit and Truth; The Character of a Worship Pastor/Leader; The Wonder of Worship; and Recognizing and Accepting His Call to Lead Worship are but a few of the significant subheadings.

The Way of Worship is a valuable tool for worship pastors and leaders who are hungering for theological, as well as real-world, underpinnings for their work of leading worship. It will become for them an indispensable reference guide for equipping worship team members and congregants in sound worship that the Father seeks.

The book also gives worship leaders ready access to teaching/training outlines for introducing worship services, weaving relatable transitions between songs or sets, and discipling worship team members.

This practical guide to navigating rivers, worship services and classrooms should be in the hands of every person involved in leading any dimension of the worship environment, including senior pastors. It will guide the reader into God-focused and Spirit-filled worship.

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Rich Frazer is President of Spiritual Overseers Service (SOS) International, a global training ministry equipping indigenous ministry leaders. He holds a Doctorate of Ministry with an emphasis on training ministry leaders to upcycle declining churches. Learn More »

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